I have a question about snapon and Matco tool boxes.

[the master]

I own both A matco 6s 3 bay and a SnapOn 3 bay. I would like to know if I could remove the casters and make them more of a permanent addition to the garage. I figure I could remove them, but not sure if I need to make a bottom plate for them to bolster up for support.

I can make a base like I would with cabinets but out of square tubing to elevate the bottom of the tool boxes off of the ground. I have enough of some scrap square tubing here to do that.

My problem that I have with my garage is that I have a step up where the tool boxes are sitting....no other place and still get all vehicles in the garage....with the caster attached the top work surfaces of both boxes are too high to functionally work on.

It is either build a base stand/remove casters or get a concrete saw and cut the ledge where the boxes sit.

If anyone has suggestions or can answer me on whether I can do that with the bases I would appreciate it. Maybe I am just over thinking everything...

 

[jakemac]

I'm not familiar with how your boxes are constructed, but in general, the weight of a box is transferred down the sides. As long as the sides are on a solid base, what you want to do should work out fine. A frame would only be needed if the sides needed the support, and to keep the casters from pushing up through an unsupported bottom.

One thing that I would recommend though, is to put some sort of moisture barrier between the concrete and the box, to prevent rust. Strips of Ice and Water Shield where the box makes contact with the concrete should work. Don't use wood. Concrete (and wood) is porous, you won't see it, but ground moisture will wick through it and will cause the box to rust. Make sure the box isn't in direct contact with a concrete wall as well.

 

[crewchief888]

if i was gonna remove the casters,
i'd set the boxes on something to keep them slightly off the concrete to allow airflow.

but i wouldnt remove the casters, i rearrange stuff too much.

 

[fxgmech]

I would remove the casters and replace them with weight-bearing pads of lower height. Keep galvanic corrosion in mind. Years of lateral stress from opening drawers is going to rub through any paint on the bottom of your boxes. Mylar tape is good insurance between metals, even similar. Clear plastic is better than nothing but it tends to squeeze out. After calling the OEM's to learn the best place to lift boxes with a forklift the usual response I got was to empty the drawers and lift by the handles or top (?!). It turned out that the best place to lift Snap-on was under two large formed channels on the bottom. I dunno about the underside of Matco but somebody does.

 

[tomshep]

I did exactly what you are describing on my box. I had some left-over 2x6 treated lumber. I just cut pieces 2' long (my boxes depth) and placed them across each end so they carried the weight where the casters bolted. One of the best things I have done. Box no longer moves around on the ledge it was up on and the top is lower so I can get in the top drawers now.

Tom

 

[CWP1616L]

I'd set the box directly on a thin sheet of plywood. If you go to support it on blocks, you're creating a haven for spiders to get up in there and set up shop. With it directly on plywood, the spiders can't get in there.

Better yet, a sheet of moisture barrier (from the flooring department) on the concrete and then the plywood on top of that.

 

[kythri]

The potential of spills and water pooling would prevent me from ever sitting something on the ground or even on a sheet of plywood.

I know you said you've got a step-up, but how wide are we talking, and is there ANY water source nearby (including plumbing in the walls, or bathrooms on the other side of the wall?

 

[rsanter]

You can remove the casters and just put them on the ground. Those boxes are tough.
But I would rather make feet to keep them off the ground. You can make the base or feet any height you want even if it's only an inch or two

Bob